A passenger

I was travelling on the train to Liverpool alone when a passenger sat by me and started to speak to me. The passenger was very insistent to learn all about me and made me feel very uncomfortable. The passenger found out my phone number and wanted to take me out.

Another passenger then boarded the train and sensed something was wrong. They came over to me and asked if I was okay and made me feel a lot better. As a result of this, the first passenger left me alone and I felt safe again.

Anonymous
Norwich, UK

 

Artist’s response

‘Passengers’ spoke to me for two reasons. First, I thought it was relatable to me, as I have been harassed in one way or another (whether that is inside a train or not) by others. Sometimes the incidents ended with minor consequences, but other times they had a much larger impact. Second, I also liked how vague the narration was: no names, gender, race, social position or other details. This allowed me, the reader, to think with an open mind and stray away from traditional stereotypes.

Artist
RAFAIL KOKKINOS

Rafail Kokkinos is a painter, muralist and illustrator from Athens, Greece. He uses different mark-making materials to create uncertain images/narratives that allow and encourage the viewer to use their imagination and life experiences to interpret them in their own relatable ways. He is based in Norwich.

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